Long Beach in Winter: İskele Living Guide

Short answer: Long Beach is livable in winter, but it is a very different place from summer. Between November and March, a significant number of sites operate with low occupancy, while beach clubs and some restaurants close. Supermarkets, pharmacies, some cafés and site services remain open. The weather is mild, but humidity and wind make home heating and electricity bills important factors.

This article is for readers who have seen Long Beach only in the summer months and are considering living here in winter or leaving their home empty during winter. We covered the general picture of the area in our İskele Long Beach guide; here, we focus only on the November–March period, permanent living and owning a home in winter.

What is Long Beach like in winter?

In winter, Long Beach turns into a quiet, at times almost deserted, small coastal settlement where residents know one another. Sites that fill up in summer with holidaymakers, short-term tenants and homeowners are left mainly to permanent residents, long-term tenants and retirees from November onwards.

Some people love this calm, while others do not. For retirees and remote workers who want to spend the winter in peace, without traffic or crowds, the winter months can be the most enjoyable period in the area. On the other hand, someone looking for activity on the streets in the evenings and whose social life is based on face-to-face interaction may feel lonely, especially in January and February.

One of the phrases Akol Global’s after-sales team hears most often is: "I saw it in summer and bought it, then came in winter and found a different place." For this reason, we strongly recommend seeing the area between November and February as well before making a purchase decision.

Winter weather: temperature, rain, humidity and wind

Winter in Long Beach is mild; daytime temperatures are usually around 15–19°C on most days, while nights are around 6–10°C. Most of the rainfall occurs between December and February; snow is almost never seen. The main points to watch are humidity, sea wind and the risk of mould in homes that remain closed.

Temperature ranges are approximate values based on long-term observations and vary from year to year. In winter, sea water is generally around 17–19°C; therefore, some residents continue to take short swims on sunny days.

What stays open and what closes in winter?

In winter, basic needs can be met in Long Beach: year-round supermarkets, pharmacies, several cafés and restaurants, on-site gyms and management services continue to operate. Businesses that close or shorten their hours are mainly beach clubs, seaside kiosks, water sports operators and seasonal restaurants.

Which businesses are open changes from year to year. The most up-to-date information is available from residents’ social media groups and site management. This is a general observation as of October 2026; before purchasing, obtain written information from management about your site’s winter arrangements. We covered the beach and social life calendar for the summer season in our article on Long Beach beaches and social life.

Site occupancy and neighbourhood life in winter

The factor that most determines comfort for permanent living in winter is how many apartments in your site are occupied during winter. In a site mainly made up of holiday homes and short-term rental apartments, corridors, parking areas and common spaces can remain largely empty in winter; in sites with a high proportion of long-term tenants and permanent residents, life flows more normally.

Occupancy rate is not officially published data, and site managements do not always share it. A practical method is to go to the site one evening in January at around 20.00 and count the windows with lights on. It is a rough but honest indicator.

• Security: In empty sites, it is important whether 7/24 security and camera systems also operate in winter.
• Lighting: Reducing common area lighting to save costs can affect evening walks in winter.
• Maintenance: Winter is the maintenance and repair period in sites; on neighbouring parcels where construction continues, the construction site may also keep working in winter.

Comfort at home in winter: humidity, heating and electricity

The key to comfort at home in Long Beach during winter is controlling humidity and heating efficiently. Most apartments in the area do not have central heating, and heating is largely provided by split air conditioners; this directly increases the winter electricity bill.

Kıb-Tek applied an approximately %22 increase to the tiered tariff from 1 June 2026. Since the unit price also rises as consumption increases under the tiered tariff, running more than one air conditioner for long periods in winter can increase the bill disproportionately. Check the current tariff tiers via Kıb-Tek.

• Dehumidifier: The most effective solution against mould and damp in apartments that remain closed.
• Insulation and window frames: During a viewing, check whether the windows are double-glazed and look for stains on north-facing walls.
• Sun-facing aspect: South- and west-facing apartments are noticeably warmer in winter.
• Power cuts: Short outages can occur on stormy days; ask whether the generator is also connected to the apartments.

If you will leave the home empty in winter: cost and maintenance

The cost of leaving your home empty in winter is higher than most buyers think: maintenance fees, electricity subscription charges and maintenance continue throughout winter, while rental income stops. For this reason, many homeowners get through winter either with long-term winter rentals or with a property management agreement that includes regular checks.

A simple example: a 1+1 apartment with a monthly maintenance fee of 100 £ remains empty between November and March (5 months). Maintenance fee is 5 × 100 = 500 £; let us allocate a total of 150 £ for the electricity subscription charge, dehumidifier consumption and two inspection visits. The out-of-pocket cost without income throughout winter is approximately 650 £. If the same apartment were rented as a winter rental for these 5 months at 450 £ per month, and the tenant paid their own bills, 2.250 £ gross rent would cover this expense. All figures are sample assumptions; calculate using your own site’s actual maintenance fee and current rental listings.

We discussed in detail how the winter and annual rental ranges are formed in our article on Long Beach rental prices.

1. At the beginning of November, prepare pool, garden and balcony furniture for winter; check the balcony drain.
2. Empty the refrigerator, and turn off the water valves and, if necessary, the circuit breakers.
3. If you leave a dehumidifier, connect the drainage hose to the drain.
4. Entrust someone with ventilating and checking the apartment at least once a month.
5. After stormy days, have the windows, ceiling and balcony door checked for water ingress.
6. Make sure bills are set up for automatic payment; an unpaid bill may lead to disconnection.

For owners managing their homes remotely, the Akol Global rental and property management team handles winter checks and tenant processes, while the after-sales services team carries out technical maintenance and repairs.

Winter checklist for permanent living

If you are considering living in Long Beach year-round, the healthiest approach is to test winter conditions on site before purchasing. Ideally, you should stay in the area for at least one week in January or February, if possible in the site you are considering.

1. Stay in the area for at least one week in January–February, if possible in the same site.
2. Ask management how many apartments in the site are occupied in winter and observe it yourself in the evening.
3. Request a written list of the supermarkets, pharmacies, cafés and gyms that remain open in winter.
4. See the electricity bills from the previous winter, if possible for an apartment of the same type.
5. Check the apartment for humidity, traces of mould and window insulation.
6. Do a trial drive to the hospital in Gazimağusa on a winter evening.
7. Find out how site security and the generator operate during the winter months.

You can also ask the sales team these questions about winter living for Akol Global’s future projects in the area, such as New Age Residence Long Beach; for project-specific information, rely on the current sales office information.

Frequently asked questions

Does Long Beach become completely empty in winter?

No. A significant number of sites operate with low occupancy in winter, but there are retirees, long-term tenants and families living in the area year-round. Occupancy varies greatly from site to site: in sites mainly rented short-term, the feeling of emptiness is clear, while life flows more normally in sites with many permanent residents.

Can you swim in the sea in Long Beach in winter?

At the beginning of November, the sea is generally still at a swimmable temperature. Between December and March, sea water falls roughly to around 17–19°C; although some residents continue to swim for short periods on sunny days, for most people the swimming season restarts in April–May. On windy days, the sea can be wavy and cloudy.

How much is the electricity bill in winter?

It is not possible to give a single figure; the size, aspect and insulation of the apartment, and how many air conditioners are running and for how long, are decisive. Since Kıb-Tek applies a tiered tariff and made an approximately %22 increase on 1 June 2026, high consumption also increases the unit price. The healthiest method is to see the previous winter bills of a similar apartment before purchasing.

Which businesses are open in Long Beach in winter?

Generally, supermarkets, pharmacies, some cafés and restaurants, site gyms and management services are open. Most beach clubs, seaside kiosks and water sports operators close; some restaurants operate only at weekends. Since the list changes from year to year, get current information from your site management and residents’ groups in the area.

What happens if I leave my home empty in winter?

Maintenance fees, subscription charges and maintenance expenses continue throughout winter, while rental income stops. Apartments that remain closed face risks of humidity and mould, and water ingress on stormy days. Having regular ventilation and checks carried out, or renting the apartment long-term for winter, reduces both costs and the risk of damage.

Is Long Beach suitable for retirees in winter?

It may be suitable for retirees who like calm, can drive and do not mind the 20–25-minute journey to Gazimağusa for healthcare checks. The mild winter, low traffic and resident community are advantages. Those with chronic health issues should pay particular attention to the hospital distance, while those living alone should especially evaluate the site’s winter occupancy.

To see Long Beach during the winter months, review the winter arrangements of sites on site, or discuss winter maintenance for your home, contact Akol Global.

This article is for informational purposes only; it does not replace legal, tax or financial advice. Last updated: October 2026.